Costa Rica Expertise LLC

Slope of land can kill projects

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

There are some surprises in motion in the maritime zone. Few people are aware of them today. Foreign ownership restrictions are being challenged. And the environmental ministry appears to be preventing development because it rules that some land is too steep.

So an investment into planning parcels for concession may be money wasted.

Read more!

Overbuilding, speculation begin to take toll

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

The five-year real estate sales boom is winding down fast in the United States. Costa Rica’s real estate market is slowing too. Skyrocketing property values may be a thing of the past there and here.

Many speculators in the United States are now walking away from their deposits or trying to wiggle out of their contracts and losing substantial money in the process. Others are stuck with their investments because they did not see the reversal coming.

As home equities soared up north, many owners borrowed heavily against their holding there to buy property in Costa Rica. Usually this is the case in fast moving markets. People get overconfident and borrow, margin, or otherwise overextend themselves to chase increasing values.

Read more!

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Researched by Garland M. Baker

A false rumor that the Walt Disney Co. plans to construct a major resort on the Pacific coast is getting new life, thanks to telephone solicitors for real estate deals.

A study by a local consultant shows no evidence that Jacó or Quepos will join ranks with the likes of Los Angeles, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; Paris, France; Tokyo, Japan; or Hong Kong; the five population centers where Disney has theme parks and resorts.

Read more!

Condo easement situation is example

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

When laws collide, the fallout can hurt the little guy — or in this case, keep the little guy from getting full title to his new condo.

A simple pyramid can explain the legal system in Costa Rica. Sources are the Constitution, legislated laws, presidential and executive decrees along with the rules and regulations that give instructions on how to apply law.

Read more!

By Garland M. Baker
Special to A.M. Costa Rica

Construction of beach developments in Costa Rica has been frozen because the Sala IV constitutional court is considering a complex case that pits the central government against its own employees and environmentalists.

The issue involves the concessions that developers get to build within the maritime zone, which is the public land located between the ocean and the first 200 meters from the average high tide line. Construction is not permitted in the first 50 meters, but long-lasting concessions are permitted in the rest.

Read more!